Court rules Wisconsin’s voter ID law is constitutional

Proponents of Wisconsin’s voter ID law have reason to celebrate after a state appeals court ruled yesterday that the law is constitutional.

In 2011, a Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law requiring voters to present photo IDs at polling places for federal, state and local elections. Republicans say the law would prevent election fraud, but Democrats say it would deter low-income and minority voters.

One of the law’s opponents, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, sued Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, claiming the law was too burdensome and stripped potential voters of their voting rights. A lower court judge ruled in favor of the organization in March 2012, but yesterday’s ruling from the an appellate court in Madison overturns that decision.

Wisconsin’s voter ID law is not yet in effect and still faces legal hurdles, including a pending challenge in another state appeals court.